Lowndes County Schools to Offer Free Meals to All Students Through Community Eligibility Program
Lowndes County Schools is thrilled to announce that all students will receive meals at no cost for the upcoming school year through the Community Eligibility Program (CEP).
Student nutrition is a top priority for the school system, as its benefits extend well beyond the lunch period.
“Lowndes County Schools recognizes the importance of nourishment for both the body and mind,” says Superintendent Sandra Wilcher. “Providing free meals to all students ensures they can focus on learning and growth without hunger as a distraction. It is our goal to create an environment where every child’s potential can flourish while we work to overcome any obstacle that may stand in the way.”
Currently, 65% of students system-wide participate in school lunch daily. Each school’s cafeteria is dedicated to producing delicious and nutritious meals.
Lowndes County Schools Nutrition is meticulous in meal preparation, ensuring that the food served is of the highest quality. The system’s food service is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs.
“We adhere to USDA guidelines when planning our menus,” says Donna Hendley, School Nutrition Director. “The food is high quality, and twenty percent of each plate includes Georgia-grown food.”
The benefits of CEP extend far beyond healthy meals and affordability for families. Participation in the program eliminates the need for meal applications, which in turn reduces administrative and printing costs for Lowndes County Schools. Families also benefit from the elimination of the need to complete and submit meal applications.
Lowndes County Schools is proud to support the whole child and looks forward to continuing to deliver the same high-quality meals at no cost to families.
